|
Under the Animal & Birds (Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules any research facility that uses animals for scientific purposes must obtain a licence from AVA. As part of the licensing requirements, a research facility must comply with Guidelines set forth by the National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) for the proper care and use of animals for scientific purposes and allow AVA to carry out inspection of its facilities.
The National Advisory Committee on Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR) was established in 2003 to develop national guidelines for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Singapore. The Committee, which comprises representatives from academia, research organizations, AVA, as well as legal and ethical specialists.
The NACLAR Guidelines on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes was released in Oct 2004. The scope of the Guidelines covers all aspects of the care and use of animals for scientific purposes including their use in teaching, field trials, environmental studies, research, diagnosis, product testing, and the production of biological products. The aim of the NACLAR Guidelines is to promote humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Singapore.
In essence, the NACLAR Guidelines are based on the principles of the 3Rs- Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.
- Replacement of animals with alternative methods;
- Reduction of the number of animals used;
- Refinement of projects and techniques used to minimise impact on animals.
The Guidelines also outline the responsibilities of institutions, investigators and persons involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. All research facilities which house and use animals for scientific purposes will have to operate in accordance with the Guidelines to qualify for licensing from the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA). The Guidelines also describe the operational aspects pertaining to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). The IACUC is responsible for the oversight and evaluation of animal care and use programmes of an institution, and is responsible for ensuring that the care and use of animals for scientific purposes and all animal experimental procedures are in compliance with the Guidelines. Under the Guidelines, all institutions with research facilities are required to establish their own IACUC to assume this function.
The last section of the Guidelines outlines the training scope and requirements for users of animals and animal institution personnel. This includes the scope of the core curriculum and the relevant core competencies, such as special courses for animal procedures. The Guidelines require all users of animals for research to undergo appropriate training before carrying out any experiments involving animals. It will assist IACUCs in determining the scope and depth of education training programmes that will meet both institutional needs and the requirements of NACLAR.
For the NACLAR Guidelines, please click here.
National Advisory Committee for Laboratory Animal Research (NACLAR)
20 Biopolis Way
#08-01 Centros
Singapore 138668
Tel: (65) 6826 6375
Fax: (65) 6478 9581
The Animals and Birds (Care and Use of animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules came into effect from 15 Nov 2004, which requires any research facilities that intends to use animals for scientific purposes to apply for and obtain a licence from AVA before commencement of work on animals. It takes about 14 to 21 working days to process an application that is complete and in order.
For information on the application procedure, please click here.
For the application form and the conditions of licensing, please click here.
The fee payable is as follows:
| 1 |
Application/Inspection fee for licence for animal research facilities |
S$462.00 per application per premises (Inclusive of 7% GST) |
| 2 |
Licence fee for animal research facilities |
S$300.00 per licence per annum |
| 3 |
Inspection fee for renewal of licence for animal research facilities |
S$462.00 per inspection per premises (Inclusive of 7% GST) |
Submission of Annual Report
Under the Section 14 of the Animals and Birds (Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes) Rules and Section 7.8.1 of the NACLAR Guidelines, all animal research facilities are required to submit an annual report for the period 1 January to 31 December of each year.
For a copy of the annual report template, please click here
Veterinary Section
Agri Establishment Regulation Department
Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
75 Pasir Panjang Road,
Singapore 118507
Fax: (65) 6473 3687
Operating hours:
|
Mon - Thu |
: |
8.30am - 1.00pm |
|
|
|
2.00pm - 5.30pm |
|
Fri |
: |
8.30am - 1.00pm |
|
|
|
2.00pm - 5.00pm
|
|
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays |
: |
Closed |
For enquiries:
Mr Darren Kong Yip Seng
Tel : 6471 9093
Email: kong_yip_seng@ava.gov.sg
|